10 incredibly annoying things everyone in hospitality recognizes
We hope you can read this without your cheeks turning red with recognition. Because according to people who work in hospitality, these are the biggest annoyances. Are you guilty of any of these?
A lovely way to spend a sunny day: sitting at a sidewalk café. We hope it will finally be possible again soon (that rain… who can take it anymore??). Until then, we can train our memory and reconsider our Tikkie policy to stay on the servers’ good side..
Annoying things that drive hospitality workers crazy
No, not now!
‘There you are, carrying a tray with a cup of HOT tea, balancing it on the saucer. Complete focus is required. But you can count on it: while you’re trying, like a focused child with your tongue between your teeth, to get that glass to the customer in one piece and still full, another customer starts talking to you. You can see it all going horribly wrong and want to scream: LEAVE ME ALONE FOR A MINUTE! But of course, you don’t..’
Carpaccio? For whom?
‘Why does this happen so often? You’re serving the food and ask: ‘Who ordered the carpaccio sandwich?’ Suddenly NO ONE remembers what they ordered five minutes ago. A mystery, every single time.’
Rearranging the entire place
‘You wouldn’t believe how many people rearrange the whole place. A table with 13 chairs added for just one person, for example. 1 chair for your feet, 1 for your bag, 1 for your coat.. Dubious enough already, but then not tidying it all up afterward—come on?! You’re in a restaurant, not at home.’
Tikkie?
‘Great that you’re coming for drinks with 15 people. A bit unfortunate that you all order one drink each and then want to pay separately. Never heard of TIKKIE? Faster and easier for everyone. Thank me later.’
Eating it? No way
‘Customers who order a toasted sandwich. “With ketchup, please.” Instead of those hideous sachets of sauce, we serve ketchup in a small glass bowl. The lady ate the toasted sandwich but didn’t touch the ketchup with a single finger. Why order it then? The dishwasher in particular isn’t happy—they have to get that ketchup back out of the bowl. First world problems, but still: annoying.’
1000 steps
‘Hello ma’am, can I help you?’ ‘Could I have a decaf latte macchiato with an EXTRA shot and soy milk and a LITTLE bit of syrup, not too hot and in a SMALL takeaway cup? And if possible, make it quick because my train is coming soon.’ These really are our favorite customers during the evening rush.’
Half an hour of cycling and then…
‘Arrive at work completely soaked because, yes, you had to cycle. Then you’re sent home because it’s too quiet. LIFE SUCKS.’
Count to ten—or no: make it twenty
‘People who order before it’s their turn. “Can I have two cappuccinos for that table?” Um, can’t you see I’m taking someone else’s order? And then you bring it to the table, only to find that the guest is nowhere to be seen. A little later, when they return from the restroom: complaining about cold coffee. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…’
(AH) To Go?
‘Great that you can place a to-go order at a hospitality venue, but a fresh sandwich isn’t ready within a minute. You’re ordering a sandwich that still has to be prepared, after all. Maybe try an AH To Go next time?’
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